Tried my hand at readjusting my parking brake today. Gave the nut a couple of turns and went to test. Pulled parking brake level to highest position and POP! Lever now makes the ratcheting/clicking sounds so it's not totally loose and free moving but it doesn't have any tension. Any ideas what I broke or what separated? No loose cables under the Jeep. I'll be removing the console next weekend to peek (ran out of daylight today unfortunately) but wanted some background. Looks like I may have broken the spring clutch on the actual mechanism but hope not.

Thanks as alway guys.

 

Most likely the cables snapped or detached somehow from the lever in the drum brake mechanism. Your going to have to take off the rear wheels and drums, see if the parking brake levers in the drums are engaging.

But you have to check the entire line, from hand brake lever to drum brake. The metal rod that holds the cables to the level may have come apart because of rust.

Be ready to rebuild your rear brake if they are old and due for replacement, which means doing everything - new hardware and pads, maybe drums too. And if you are doing that, then put new brake cables in because they get beat up easily and while you have it all apart might as well do it right.

 

Thanks OldTires, spot on. Front cable snapped at the lever. Ordered new drums, shoes, brake lines, parking brake cables, hardware and wheel cylinders too. As you said, may as well do it right when it's all apart.

<img src=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5N95kOR3Elo/Vkdoz1qZ8bI/AAAAAAAAMO0/iFsN6osHpF0/s512-Ic42/IMG_2345.JPG>

<img src=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3P4KATtoARA/Vkdo1fUVzHI/AAAAAAAAMPA/4BNfUzDO6R4/s512-Ic42/IMG_2344.JPG>

 

While you're at it, check the cable tensioner. See if it's ate up with rust. You'll need to adjust the cables at the tensioner if you're going to replace all those parts.


Here's a link you can look at to get an idea of what parts you'll need.


Click the pic to make it larger. Click it again to make it larger yet.


https://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/album/4234271

 

Thanks CCKen, much appreciated. The parts are a bit rusty but seem solid right now. The cable adjuster definitely has surface rust but that seems it. Also, looks like it's NLA?

 

Mine was doing this for a bit. One of the springs in the drum assembly broke so there was no tension on the cable. Also, my ebrake cable was rubbing on my driveshaft and was making noise, so maybe that's worth checking.